Writing for the mass media / James Glen Stovall.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Stovall, James Glen.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Mass media--Authorship.

Mass media.

Report writing.

Physical Description:

430 pages : illustrations ; 28 cm

Edition:

Fifth edition.

Place of Publication:

Boston : Allyn and Bacon, [2002]

Summary:

Through five editions, Writing for the Mass Media remains one of the most clear and efficient introductions to media writing. This successful book offers a simple organization, clear writing, abundant exercises, and precise examples that give readers the information and opportunity to develop their skills as professional writers. Using a workbook-style format, it introduces and explains the major forms of media writing ( inverted pyramid for print and Web, dramatic writing for broadcast, copy platforms for advertising, and the various writing structures required for public relations ( and covers all major areas of media, including the World Wide Web. For writers interested in media writing.

Contents:

Chapter 1 Sit down & write 1

What is good writing? 2

Getting ready to write 2

Techniques for good writing 6

Writing for the mass media 9

Becoming a professional 9

Text and images 11

And finally ... 13

Points for consideration and discussion 13

Chapter 2 Basic tools of writing 17

Grammar 25

Punctuation 26

Spelling 29

Computer aids 32

Words, words, words 34

Writing with clarity 35

Points for consideration and discussion 36

Chapter 3 Style and the stylebook 61

Accuracy 61

Clarity 62

Brevity 66

Journalistic conventions 67

Journalistic style 71

Stylebooks 73

The Associated Press Stylebook 74

Language sensitivity 77

Points for consideration and discussion 78

Chapter 4 Writing in the media environment 111

News culture 112

News values 113

Gathering the news: Five Ws and One H 115

Personal sources 116

Interviewing 117

Observation 123

Stored sources of information 124

The importance of accuracy 127

Deadlines 128

Ethical considerations 131

Writing by example 132

Points for consideration and discussion 133

Chapter 5 Writing for print 151

Characteristics of news stories 151

The inverted pyramid 157

The lead paragraph 160

Developing the story 163

Using quotations 171

Other story structures 173

Editing and rewriting 176

Feature styles 178

Parts of a feature story 182

Thinking graphically 183

Information for graphics 184

Forms of graphic presentation 185

Challenge of writing 188

Points for discussion 189

Chapter 6 Writing for the Web 225

The audience 228

Creating content 231

Concision 232

Thinking laterally 239

E-mail 242

Wanted for the Web: writers and editors 243

Points for consideration and discussion 243

Chapter 7 Writing for broadcast 253

Selection of news 254

Characteristics of writing 255

Story structure 258

Broadcast writing style 260

Broadcast copy preparation 264

Putting together a newscast 265

Points for consideration and discussion 268

Chapter 8 Writing advertising copy 287

A love-hate relationship 288

The field of advertising 289

Beginning the process: needs and appeals 291

The audience 293

The product 296

The advertising situation 299

Copy platforms 300

Writing the ad 302

Elements of a print ad 305

Writing advertising for broadcast 308

Other media 318

Points for consideration and discussion 319

Chapter 9 Writing for public relations 337

The work of the PR practitioner 338

Characteristics of the PR practitioner 340

Writing news releases 343

Letters 348

Company publications 353

Oral presentations 359

Points for consideration 364

Chapter 10 Writers & the law 377

The First Amendment 377

Defamation 379

The plaintiff's case 381

Affirmative defenses 382

Privacy 385

Copyright 387

Trademark 390

Advertising 391

Broadcast regulation 393

Appendix A Copy-editing symbols 395

Appendix B Grammar and diagnostic exams 397

Appendix C Problem words and phrases 409

Appendix D Advertising copy sheets 417.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

0205335470

OCLC:

47736429